Location: The line is located in South-Central Ontario, connecting
Canadian Pacific properties between Guelph Junction
and Hamilton Junction.
History: The South Ontario Pacific Railway Company (SOPR) was
chartered in 1887 as a subsidiary of the Canadian
Pacific Railway to construct a line from Woodstock through Brantford
and Hamilton to a point on the Niagara River, with
branches from Hamilton to Cooksville and St. Marys to Lake Huron,
a total of 105 miles (170 km). The company's aim
was to compete with the existing Grand Trunk Railway lines in
that area. While some initial survey work was completed
that year, the company remained dormant for a number of years
thereafter. During this time, several other Canadian Pacific
related railways, including the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo
Railway, constructed track within the potential sphere of
influence of the projected SOPR. By 1905, the matter seems to
have been forgotten, however, the charter continued to
remain in force.
In November 1910, plans were announced by the CPR that the
missing link between Hamilton (Bayview/Hamilton
Junction) and Guelph Junction would be completed, thus providing
a rival connection for Guelph to Lake Ontario markets.
In combination with this initiative, it was disclosed that the
CPR would construct an extension of the line north from Guelph
Junction to Georgian Bay through Acton and Georgetown. All of
the work was to be completed under the guise of the
SOPR charter. Construction on the Hamilton connection was commenced
immediately by the Toronto Construction
Company with the line formally leased to the CPR for 999 years
in January 1912. The project was officially opened for
traffic in July 1912. The Georgian Bay proposal never proceeded
past the drawing board. In 1956, the company
disappeared as a corporate entity.
Approximate Milage: 16 miles.
Current Status: Under the Canadian Pacific, the line became
part of the Goderich Subdivision. Effective October 1,
1996, the SOPR tracks were transferred to the St. Lawrence &
Hudson Railway, a CPR subsidiary and now form part of
the Hamilton Subdivision.
Principle Stations: Guelph Junction, Waterdown and Hamilton Junction.
Remaining Stations: There is one remaining station along the
SOPR, that being the Waterdown North building. Located
in its original place at Parkside Dr. E, the structure is currently
offices for the William Barnes Company.
Additional information on the South Ontario Pacific Railway can be had from the following sites:
Mark Liddell's "Hamilton Railfan Guide" StL&H
Hamilton Sub Footnotes page Link
Bill Miller's "STLH Hamilton Subdivision" page Link
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